Bird or animal repellent system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for conveying a bird or animal repelling object along a path, comprising a line for conveying at least one bird or animal repelling object, the line configured to define a predetermined path. The bird or animal repelling object is coupled to the line, and at least two spaced apart supporting braces operatively engage the line and provide support thereto, wherein the line is suspended in the air. The system further includes a drive unit connected to the line and adapted to control the motion of the line with respect to the supporting towers. At least one cover is attached to at least one of the towers in alignment with the path of the line and is configured to shield the object from view when the object is disposed therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/009,099, filed Jan. 16, 2008, which application claims thebenefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/880,346, filed Jan. 16, 2007, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an animal repellent system. More particularly,the invention relates to a conveying system to move an animal repellingobject around a predetermined area.

The growing of crops, including, for example, berries, in a field orother area is an activity of significant magnitude. Birds and otheranimals can damage crops by eating the crops and otherwise damaging theland on which the crops grow. Various types of devices and installationshave been used in the past in attempts to scare birds away from crops.

It has been proposed, for example, to scare birds from a field throughthe use of stationary devices, such as scarecrows. The effectiveness ofthese devices, however, decreases after a short period of time becausethe birds or other animals become accustomed to the presence of thedevices and lose their fear thereof.

It has also been proposed to scare birds from a field through the use ofa loud noise. Such a loud noise may be produced by acoustic systems,such as recordings of distress and warning calls of the species soughtto be repelled, or an air gun that ignites combustible gas atpredetermined intervals. After a period of use of loud noises, however,birds become accustomed to the noise and the scaring effect isdiminished.

It has also been proposed to protect crops and fields against birdsthrough the use of nets or other protective webbing. Use of this method,however, is limited due to the prohibitive cost of building andmaintaining such a system, especially over large plots of land.

Because of the problems associated with the use of stationary devices,loud noises, and netting systems to deter birds and other animals fromcrop fields, farmers have attempted to employ the use of repellingsystems for protection. Such systems have included devices that carryscarecrows or other deterrent objects, and can move them in apredetermined motion. The disadvantage of these types of systems,however, is the same as that of stationary devices and loud noises. Thatis, after a time the birds or animals to be repelled become accustomedto the presence of the scaring device and the scaring effect isdiminished.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system to repel birds and otheranimals that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides the ability to preserve thescaring effect on birds and other animals to protect crops and the likeby suspending a bird or animal repelling object from a line or cable.The system preferably comprises a cable, having a bird or animalrepelling object attached thereto and supported by a support tower, adrive unit to control the movement of the cable, and a cover. The coverprovides a place wherein the bird or animal repelling object can behidden from view. Accordingly, the presence of the bird or animalrepelling object is not continuously observable by the birds and animalsto be repelled. By emerging from within the cover on a predeterminedschedule, preferably timed to mimic the behavior of a bird of prey orother scaring device, the bird or animal repelling object maintains itsscaring effect and other animals and birds do not become accustomed toit.

Another aspect of the present invention provides the ability to preservethe scaring effect on birds and other animals to protect crops and thelike by providing a cover with a bird or animal repelling objectdisposed therein. The object emerges from within the cover, and into theview of birds or other animals to be repelled, according to apredetermined or random schedule. The object then returns to the coverand is again hidden from view. Although these particular aspects of theinvention are herein disclosed with respect to the protection of cropsand fields, it is to be understood that the present invention providesthe ability to preserve the scaring effect on birds and other animals inother circumstances as well, such as, for example, to protect fish inlakes or rivers. These and other aspects of the invention areexemplified by a series of preferred embodiments.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system forconveying a bird or animal repelling object along a path. The system mayinclude a line for conveying at least one bird or animal repellingobject, the line configured to define a predetermined path, and the birdor animal repelling object coupled to the line. There may be at leasttwo spaced apart supporting braces operatively engaged with the line andproviding support thereto, wherein the line is suspended in the air.There may also be a drive unit connected to the line and adapted forcontrolling the motion of the line with respect to the supporting bracesalong the path. Preferably, the system may further include at least onecover attached to at least one of the braces in alignment with the pathand configured to shield the bird or animal repelling object from viewwhen the bird or animal repelling object is disposed therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the bird or animal repelling object isfurther coupled to the line by a wire suspended from the line.Preferably, the bird or animal repelling object to be conveyed by theline is an animated bird-like object having wings that flap. Furtherpreferably, the system includes a timing device for activating anddeactivating the drive unit at set intervals, thereby allowing thebird-like object to remain hidden by the cover or to be conveyed alongthe path according to a predetermined or random schedule. The timingdevice may be a light sensor or a motion sensor. The drive unit may movethe line at variable speeds and the direction of the movement of theline may be reversible.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention relates to a systemfor repelling birds or animals from an area. The system may preferablycomprise at least two braces positioned at a distance from each otherabout an area to be protected and a cable supported by the braces.Preferably, a bird or animal repelling object is slideably engaged withthe cable and configured to move with respect thereto. Furtherpreferably, at least one shelter supported by at least one of thebraces, is positioned in the path of the bird or animal repelling objectsuch that the bird or animal repelling object is hidden from view whendisposed therein.

In one preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a propulsiondevice for propelling animal repelling object along the path.Preferably, the propulsion device may be powered by an electric current.The cable may then carry an electric current and transmit the current tothe propulsion device, thereby providing power thereto.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method ofrepelling birds and other animals. The method comprises attaching a birdor animal repelling object to a conveyor line and conveying the bird oranimal repelling object around a predetermined area. Preferably, themethod may further include providing a cover in operative relationshipwith said conveyor line, wherein the bird or animal repelling object canbe hidden at predetermined or random intervals when conveyed into saidcover.

In an alternative embodiment, the method may include providing a timingdevice configured to control the timing of the conveying and hiding ofthe bird or animal repelling object. Preferably, the method may alsoinclude reversing the direction of conveyance of the bird or animalrepelling object at various intervals or varying the speed of conveyanceof the bird or animal repelling object. Further preferably, the methodmay include providing a propulsion device, attached to the bird oranimal repelling object to propel the bird or animal repelling objectalong the path of the conveyor line. Furthermore, the method may includerepeatedly disposing the bird or animal repelling object within thecover so as to hide the object from the view of the bird or animal to berepelled, repeatedly repelling the object out of the cover and into openview of the birds or animals to be repelled, and returning the object tothe cover according to a predetermined or random schedule. This schedulemay be set or it may be variable. In preferred embodiments, therepelling motion of the bird or animal repelling object out of the covermay be effected by a telescoping rod, scissor-lift cable, line, rope, ortrack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood on reading the followingdetailed description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof, and onexamining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bird repellent system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bird repellent system according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of an embodiment of thepresent invention having a bird or animal repelling object disposedtherein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bird or animal repelling object ofan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bird or animal repelling object of analternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an aspect of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a side view of the bird or animal repelling objectapproaching the cover in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 9B is a side view of the bird or animal within the cover of FIG.9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be further appreciated when considered with reference to thefollowing description of preferred embodiments and accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. Indescribing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in theappended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific termincludes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish asimilar purpose.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspectiveview of a bird or animal repellent system 1 a according to an embodimentof the present invention. The bird or animal repellent system 1 a a iscapable of conveying at least one bird or animal repelling object, suchas a bird-like object (shown in FIG. 5), along a predetermined path. Thebird or animal repelling object to be conveyed is attached to a line 10that defines the path along which the bird or animal repelling objectwill travel. Line 10 is strong enough to support the bird or animalrepelling object and flexible enough to negotiate the curves and bendsnecessary to ultimately form an endless loop. In one embodiment line 10is tensioned to about 40 pounds. Line 10 may be constructed of anysuitable material including, but not limited to, metal cable, rope,twine, or chain. Preferably the material is ⅛ inch galvanized cable.

As further shown in FIG. 1, line 10 may be supported by at least twosupporting braces 12, 14. Preferably, they are spaced apart at least 200feet, but not more than 225 feet. Further preferably, supporting braces12, 14 have guiding pulleys 11 mounted thereon. Guiding pulleys 11 allowline 10 to move with respect to supporting braces 12, 14. Supportingbraces 12, 14 support line 10 so as to maintain the position of line 10elevated above the ground. In addition, supporting braces 12, 14 may bepositioned as desired in order to direct line 10 around a path that willsuit the particular geography of the field in which they are installed.Although two braces, 12 and 14, are shown in FIG. 1, it is to beunderstood that any number of braces may be used as necessary to ensurethat the system covers the desired geographic area. Accordingly, thesystem may be used to scare away birds and other animals from propertyof varying size and shape.

Line 10 is powered by a drive unit 16 connected to at least one of thesupporting towers 12, 14. Drive unit 16 may be a motor that drives ashaft in a rotational direction, such as, for example, a 0.5 horsepower90 volt DC motor. There may preferably be a driving pulley 17 attachedto the shaft, around which line 10 passes. Line 10 creates a continuousloop that passes around driving pulley 17 connected to drive unit 16 andaround each of supporting braces 12, 14. As line 10 passes over drivingpulley 17, the rotational motion of driving pulley 17 drives line 10linearly. Accordingly, line 10 moves in a linear direction along thepath defined by the position of support braces 12, 14. If line 10 isdriven at too high a rate of speed, then stress may be added to othercomponents of the system, such as, for example, guiding pulleys 11 anddrive unit 16. Conversely, if line 10 is driven at too low a rate ofspeed, then the movement of the bird or animal repelling object may losesome scaring effect on birds or animals to be repelled. Preferably,driving pulley 17 drives line 10 at the rate of about 400 feet perminute. Further preferably, driving pulley 17 may also beself-tensioning to assure that line 10 is maintained at the propertension.

Drive unit 16 may control the speed at which line 10 moves as well asits direction of movement, thereby allowing variety in the movement ofthe attached bird or animal repelling object and increasing the scaringeffect thereof. Further preferably, the movement of line 10 may becontrolled by a variable cycle timer, a light sensor, or a motionsensor.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is cover 18. Cover 18 may consist of an aluminumtubular frame covered with a fabric. The fabric is preferably porousenough to allow air to pass through cover 18, while still shielding thebird or animal repelling object from outside view. Porous or mesh fabrichelps to reduce stress on support braces 12, 14 from wind forces whencover 18 is mounted thereon in an elevated position. Alternatively, insituations where stresses created by the environment are of lessconcern, such as, for example, where cover 18 is mounted to a rooftop,cover 18 may be constructed of any suitable solid material. Cover 18 maybe positioned along the path of line 10 and is large enough to hide thebird or animal repelling object being conveyed by line 10 from outsideview.

It is to be understood that there may be more than one cover 18 locatedalong the path of line 10. The hiding of the bird or animal repellingobject by cover 18 allows the bird or animal repelling object to appearand disappear from the view of birds and animals to be repelledaccording to a schedule dictated by a user of system 1 a, such as duringpredetermined, random, or pseudo-random times. In this way, where thebird or animal repelling object is made to look like a real bird, theappearance thereof mimics more closely the activity of a real bird, thusincreasing the scaring effect of the bird or animal repelling object.The bird or animal repelling object may be made to appear like a realbird by exhibiting animated features, such as flapping wings.Furthermore, because the bird or animal repelling object is notcontinuously present, the birds to be repelled do not become accustomedto it and the scaring effect is maintained.

FIGS. 2-3 show a plan view and a perspective view of a bird or animalrepellent system 1 b according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention. Support brace 14 maintains line 10 in an elevated position.Line 10 is driven by a drive unit 16 as described above with referenceto system 1 a. In one preferred embodiment, two covers 18 a, 18 b areprovided, each large enough to hide the object being conveyed by line 10from outside view. The provision of two covers 18 a, 18 b creates morethan one place for the bird or animal repelling object to be hidden fromview. Because each field or other piece of property is different, system1 b must be individually adapted to the particular geography andenvironment where it is installed. To this end, preferably, any numberof covers 18 a, 18 b may be positioned along the path of line 10 to suitthe particular system to be installed.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of cover 18 of anembodiment of the present invention having a bird or animal repellingobject 20 disposed therein. In one preferred embodiment, bird or animalrepelling object 20 is made to have the appearance of a real bird ofprey or other natural enemy of the birds and animals to be repelled.Preferably, cover 18 is large enough to hide bird or animal repellingobject 20 from view when bird or animal repelling object 20 is disposedtherein. Further preferably, because the bird or animal repellent systemmay be used outdoors, cover 18 is composed of a material with propertiesdesigned to protect bird repelling object 20 from the elements of theenvironment, thereby prolonging the life of bird or animal repellingobject 20. Bird or animal repelling object 20 may further be detachablefrom line 10 to allow for replacement of bird or animal repelling object20 as needed or desired.

FIG. 5 further shows bird or animal repelling object 20, attached toline 10, when not disposed within cover 18 (shown in FIG. 4). Bird oranimal repelling object 20 is attached to line 10 and moves inconformity therewith along the path of line 10. Preferably, the methodof attachment of bird or animal repelling object 20 to line 10 is bymeans of a cable or wire 22 as shown in FIG. 5, thereby allowing theobject to move when acted upon by the wind or other external forces inorder to appear more lifelike. Any suitable means of attachment,however, may be used.

Preferably, bird or animal repelling object 20 is a battery-poweredrobotic bird device with the likeness of a hawk or other bird of prey.The robotic bird device may have a fiberglass body, wing modulation, andexhibit audible attack sounds. The wing modulation may be variable toprovide realistic operation of the robotic bird device. Furtherpreferably, the movement of the robotic bird device along the path ofline 10 may be designed to imitate flight or attack. In one preferredembodiment, there may be an orientation device attached to the bird oranimal repelling object that turns the object to ensure that the objectis always facing in the direction of travel. Preferably, the orientationdevice may be a fin configured to orient the object based on theaerodynamic forces that act thereon while the object is in movement.

A preferred manner of operation will now be described. A user will beginby attaching bird or animal repelling object 20 to conveyor line 10 bymeans of cable or wire 22. Thereafter, bird or animal repelling object20 may be conveyed by line 10 along the path of line 10 as defined bysupporting braces 12, 14. Bird or animal repelling object 20 will beconveyed within cover 18 when line 10 passes through cover 18.Thereafter the direction of motion of line 10 may be reversed, allowingbird or animal repelling object 20 to emerge from within cover 18. Thisreversal of direction may preferably be initiated by a switch,positioned to contact bird or animal repelling object 20, inside cover18. A timer will coordinate the movement of line 10, and consequently ofbird or animal repelling object 20, to provide periods of time when birdor animal repelling object 20 is hidden within cover 18 and periods oftime when bird or animal repelling object 20 emerges from cover 18 intoopen view. Preferably, the speed and direction of motion of line 10 varyas dictated by drive unit 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown bird or animal repelling device 20slideably engaged with line 10 and configured to move relative thereto.Bird and animal repelling device 20 may be propelled in a directionparallel to the path of line 10 by propulsion device 24. Propulsiondevice 24 may include a self-contained power unit, or be powered bybatteries or other internal energy source. Alternatively, propulsiondevice 24 may be powered by electricity. In one embodiment, line 10 maycarry an electric current, thereby transmitting electricity topropulsion device 24 and consequently propelling bird or animalrepelling object 20 along line 10. The propulsion device could include amotor that drives small wheels frictionally engaging line 10, or othertypes of conveying devices for movement along a line.

FIGS. 7-8 show a plan view of bird or animal repellent system 1 c and anaspect of the bird or animal repellent system according to a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention. A bird or animalrepelling object 20 is attached to a motion compelling device 32. Motioncompelling device 32 may be a lifting rod, scissor lift, telescopingrods, cable, rope, line, track, or any other suitable device to move thebird or animal repelling object in and out of cover 34. A motor may alsobe included to drive the motion compelling device 32. Motion compellingdevice 32 maintains operative engagement between bird or animalrepelling object 20 and cover 34. In a preferred manner of operation,bird or animal repelling object 20 is hidden from outside view withincover 14 while motion compelling implement 32 is in a retractedposition. Then, bird or animal repelling object 20 is moved from theretracted position to an extended position outside of cover 34 and intoopen view of the birds or animals to be repelled.

Motion compelling device 32 may move bird or animal repelling object 20out of cover 34 in a vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 7.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, horizontal motion compelling device38 may move bird or animal repelling object 20 (not shown) out of cover34 (shown in dotted lines) in a horizontal direction. In the alternativeembodiment of FIG. 8, horizontal motion compelling device 38 includes athreaded shaft 36 that operatively connects motion compelling device 32,here shown as a scissor lifting mechanism, to a motor 40. The scissorlifting mechanism is attached at its other end to bird or animalrepelling object 20 (not shown). Motor 40 may preferably be a DC motor,capable of moving bird or animal repelling device 20 in a horizontaldirection at a rate of 11 inches in 10 seconds or less. Threaded shaft36 may be rigidly attached to motor 40 at one end and correspond tofemale threading in the base of the scissor lifting mechanism at theother end. As motor 40 turns threaded shaft 36, the scissor liftingmechanism is driven toward or away from cover 34 in which motor 40 isdisposed, depending on the direction of rotation of threaded shaft 36.Because bird or animal repelling object 20 is attached to the scissorlifting mechanism, bird or animal repelling object 20 will also be movedvertically with respect to cover 34. Although the foregoing embodimentsshow movement of bird or animal repelling device in a horizontal andvertical direction, these embodiments are illustrative and movement ofbird or animal repelling device 20 in other directions such as atangles, is contemplated.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, cover 18 may preferably include an advancebar 42 and a limit switch 44 to assist in the hiding of the bird oranimal repelling object 20 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Preferably, when thebird or animal repelling object 20 enters cover 18, the connection unit46 connecting the object 20 to wire 22 contacts the limit switch 44 thatstops movement of the system while the bird or animal repelling object20 is disposed within cover 18. Further preferably, an advance bar 42may be used within the cover 18 to engage wire 22, as shown in FIG. 9B,pulling the object 20 upward and into cover 18. Cover 18 may also beshaped with the opening, through which the bird or animal repellingobject enters, having a greater cross sectional area at the lowerportion than the top portion of the cover. Preferably, cover 18 may havean opening 6 feet in width at the bottom and tapering to 4 feet in widthat the top portion. The height of cover 18 from bottom to top maypreferably be 5 feet. Such a configuration may enable the object to moreeasily enter cover 18 when wind or other external forces are acting onthe object as it moves along the path of line 10.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A system for conveying an animal repelling object, comprising: a linedefining a predetermined path; at least two supporting memberssupporting the line; an animal repelling object configured to move alongthe predetermined path; and at least one cover fixed relative to atleast one of said supporting members, said cover positioned in the pathof said animal repelling object such that said animal repelling objectis substantially hidden from view when disposed therein.
 2. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a drive unit for controlling the motionof said line with respect to said at least two supporting members alongsaid path.
 3. The system of claim 2, further including a timer foractivating and deactivating said drive unit at set intervals, therebyallowing the animal repelling object to remain hidden by the cover or tobe conveyed along the path according to a predetermined or randomschedule.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said timer includes at leastone of a light sensor or a motion sensor.
 5. The system of claim 2,wherein said drive unit moves the line at variable speeds.
 6. The systemof claim 2, wherein the direction of motion of the line is reversible.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the animal repelling object isslideably engaged with said line.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theanimal repelling object includes an animated bird-like object havingwings that flap.
 9. A system for repelling animals, comprising: at leasttwo braces spaced apart from each other; a line supported by said bracesand defining a path; an animal repelling object configured to move alongor with said line; and at least one shelter placed along the path of theline such that said animal repelling object is substantially hidden fromview when disposed therein.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theshelter is located at a fixed location.
 11. The system of claim 9,further comprising a propulsion unit movable along the line forpropelling the animal repelling object along the path.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein said propulsion unit is powered by an electriccurrent.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the electric current istransmitted to the propulsion unit by the line.
 14. The system of claim9, further comprising a motion compelling device for moving the animalrepelling object between a retracted position, where the animalrepelling objected is located inside the shelter, and an extendedposition, where the animal repelling object is located outside theshelter.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion compellingdevice is configured to move the animal repelling object toward and awayfrom the shelter while the line remains stationary.
 16. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the motion compelling device comprises at least one ofa scissors lift, lifting rod, telescoping rods, cable, rope, line ortrack.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion compelling devicecomprises a threaded shaft operatively connected to a scissors lift, thescissors lift being adapted to move toward and away from the shelterupon rotation of the threaded shaft.
 18. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising a limit switch for stopping movement of the animal repellingobject when the animal repelling object is disposed inside the shelter.19. A method for repelling animals, comprising: moving an animalrepelling object along a path defined by a conveyor line suspended inthe air; stopping the animal repelling object; and covering the animalrepelling object such that the animal repelling object is substantiallyhidden from view at predetermined or random intervals while the animalrepelling object is stopped.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein thecovering the animal repelling object includes disposing the animalrepelling object inside a shelter.